Bowers, whose mother used to be the gymnastics coach at Washington, scored on a similar flip in a high school game, and his mother once again was hoping for even more.

"She said the same thing to me after the game: 'Why didn't you do a double?'" Bowers said. "It was the same thing. It's like deja vu. It keeps her coming to the games."

The game was played in smoky conditions because of the wine country fires that have killed at least 35 people and destroyed at least 5,700 homes and businesses about 50 miles north of Cal's campus.

The tone for this game was set when Falk was intercepted on Washington State's third play from scrimmage, setting up a field goal by Matt Anderson.

The Cougars committed three turnovers in the first half, missed a field goal and had a 1-yard punt in the final minute of the half that set up a touchdown that made it 17-3 at the break.

THE TAKEAWAY

Washington State: Falk entered the game with two interceptions in 262 passes before throwing five against the Bears. He had one on his first pass, one in the end zone, another in the red zone on a botched shovel pass and two more overall. It was a rough day all around for Falk, who was repeatedly battered by Cal's rush and lost a fumble that was returned for a TD by Gerran Brown after the ninth sack of the game.

California: The Bears were held to minus-14 yards rushing in the first half before wearing down the Cougars behind bruising Vic Enwere. Enwere carried the bulk of the rushing load with Patrick Laird out with an injury and finished with 102 yards on 22 carries as Cal dominated the game in the trenches.

QUOTABLE

"Our guys just sauntered around out there on the field like we'd accomplished something, which is obviously false, and Cal certainly illustrated that," Leach said.

ODD SEQUENCE

Mitchell Cox's 1-yard punt led to a key stretch to close the first half. The Bears took over at the Cougars 45 and drove down to just outside the 1 with 4 seconds to play. During a stoppage, a female fan ran on the field and sat down while holding a pink, stuffed pig. After she was dragged off by security, Wilcox decided to pass up the field goal and take a shot at the end zone, which paid off when Bowers threw a TD pass to Kyle Wells.

"You could take the points there but there was no discussion," Wilcox said. "I wasn't thinking any other way. It's 1 yard. We have to get a yard. Play to win the game and that was the decision."

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Cougars, who entered the game with their highest ranking since 2003, will fall out of the top 10 next week.